Dispensing apparatus for paint, lacquer or the like



May 27, 1958 P. A. O'NEILL 2,836,331

DISPENSING .APPARATUS Foa PAINT, LA cQUER 0R THE LIKE i original Filed oct. 5, 195s :5 sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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May 27, 1958 P. A. ONEILL 2,836,331

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PAINT,`LACQUER OR THE'LIKE Original Filed Oct. 5, 1953 3 Sheets-Shea?.` 2

l l n 46 f4 ls IN V EN TOR.

May271958 l P. A. 'NEILL `r 2,836,331

DISPENSING APPARATUS FOR PAINT, LACQUER OR THE! LIKE original Filed oct. 5, 1953 I 3 shets-sheet s [2401. V/Lz.

JNVENTOR.

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United States Patent DISPENSLQG APPARATUS FOR PAINT, LACQUER R THE LIKE Original application Detober 5, 1953, Serial No. 387,387,

now Patent No. 2,757,910, dated May 14, 1956. Di-

vided and this appiication May 14, 1956, Serial N0.

6 Claims. (Cl. 222-484) This invention relates to an apparatus for dispensing liquids, such as paint, lacquer, thinners, or the like.

This application is a division of an application of Paul A. ONeill, Serial No. 387,387, filed October 5, 1953, entitled Dispensing Apparatus for Paint, Laquer, or the Like, now Patent No. 2,757,910, issued August 7, 1956 which application Was a division of an application of Paul A. ONeill, Serial No. 224,764, filed May 5, 1951, entitled Dispensing Apparatus for Paint, Lacquer, or the Like, now abandoned.

lt is known to provide a plurality of containers, carrying paint 0r the like, in which the containers are so arranged that any one of them may be positioned to discharge a quantity of paint, thinner, or lacquer into a common mixing container.

It is one of the objects of this invention to improve in general, dispensing apparatus of this general character.

It is another object of this invention to provide a support for each of the dispensing containers that facilitates removal and replacement of the container.

' It is still another object of the invention to provide a simple and effective mechanism making it possible to operate an agitator which may be disconnected from the source of motion while the container is in dispensing position.

rlhis invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings: v

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a paint mixing apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention, the housing being shown in sections;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vsectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 3 3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, but illustrating the paint container in dispensing position;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged lfragmentary sectional view illustrating the coupling structure for driving the agitator shaft;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views, taken along a plane corresponding to lines 6 6 and 7 7 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 isan enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the clamping structure for holding the container;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken along a plane corresponding to line 9 9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. l0 is a plan view of a containerwith its cover; and

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Figs. 11 and 12 are sectional views, taken along planes correspondingto lines 11 11 and 12 12 of Fig. 10.

In the present instance, the dispenser structure includes four cans or containers 1 of identical structure arranged with their axes generally in parallel relation, as illustrated in Fig. 1. Each of the containers is provided with a cover structure 2 which is shown most clearly in Figs. 3, 10, 1l, and 12.

The containers 1 are of the usual paint can type, having a bead 3 at the top and a ybead 3a at the bottom. The cover 2 is provided with a downwardly extending flange 4 (Figs. 4 and 8) that is forced into the top of the can and held by friction between the bead 3 and the lip 5.

Each of the containers 1 is disposed in a support that may be tilted for moving the can or container 1 to the dispensing position of Fig. 4. In this position, the valve structure 6, mounted on the cover member 2, may be opened in order to discharge the liquid into a mixing receptacle or can, such as shown, for example, in Patent No. 2,537,277, granted in the name of E. M. ONeill on January 9, 1951, and assigned to the same assignee as the present application.

The supporting structure for each of the cans includes an annular base member 7. This base member may have a flange S into which the bottom of the can or container 1 may be telescoped. Rising from diametrically opposite portions of the base 7 is a pair of'bars 9 and 1l) (see, also, Figs. 8 and 9). The upper ends 11 and 12 of these bars are bent inwardly. These ends have lower inclined clamping surfaces 13. The inclination of these surfaces 13 on the ends 11 and l2 are both in the same direction.

These clamping surfaces cooperate with corresponding inclined upper ysurfaces of the bosses 14 mounted on diametrically opposite sides of the cover 2. In order to clamp the container 1 onto the supporting structure, including the base 7 and the bars 9 and 10, the container 1 may be placed on the base 7 with the projections 14 angularly displaced from the ends l1 and 12. Then, by turning the container in a clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 10, and as indicated by the arrow 15 of Fig. 9, the clamping surfaces 1.3 engage the upper inclined surfaces of the bosses 14. This clockwise movement may be continued until a satisfactory frictional engagement is obtained.

The removal of the container 1 from its support is eifected by relative counterclockwise movement of the container 1 with respect to its support.

Each of the bars 9 and 1t) is provided with a pin 16 located on an axis transverse of the axis of the container 1, and by the aid of which the can or container may ce pivo-ted. The pivotal support for the cans or containers 1 is provided by the aid of downwardly extending brackets 17 that have horizontal legs 18. These legs 13 are attached to the side of a shelf 19 which is made a part of the housing structure 20. The pins 16 extend through the brackets 17, as indicated most clearly in Fig. 1. The lower ends of adjacent brackets 17 are rigidly heid in .spaced-apart relation by spacer sleeves Z1. Through each sleeve extends a screw 22, to hold the sleeve in place.

Furthermore, these pivot pins 16 are placed substanstructure. Thus, as shown in Fig. 3, an agitator paddle- 24 is located near the bottom of the container 1. The paddle 24 is mountedon the bottom of an agitator fingers ofthe operator. Y Y f Y When theV handler49 isvraised,rthe latch 571 automat-V gaat as de; use, Pig. 'rus than z5. is apprent- Vately journalled in the inwardly directed boss 26 of the Y. cover 2. This boss 26 carries a bearing sleeve 27.V Packinawashers, 28 and 2 9 are provided et the opposite ende ef .the bearinssleeve 27 Y A Coller 319 is @Quoted en Shaft 25 te provide a `Step bearing fer the 4shaft 2 5 en the exterior ef the Cover 2- The upper end 3 1 et 'the shait 25 is provided with av Vlrleeharufsrn from eleetrier meter (See Fiss l dadlh mounted on the lower surface of shelf 19.

The Coupling 34 has an extension 36 (Pise 5 .and 6) into which is threaded a eap 37- This ear S7 is driven by the driving shaft 38 by the aid of a pin 39 which projects into a slot 46 formed in the member .A eempres'sion spring di'is disposed around the reduced end 42 of the shaft 33, audits lower end rests against shoulder 43 formed within the coupling sleeve This spring urges the coupling sleeve 34vdownwardly,so as to place the pin 33 into the slot 32. Y

' Whenthe sleeve Sri-.is moved upwardly, the spring 41 is compressed, and pin 33 is moved up outof theslotV 32 '(Fig. 4). VThe paddle 24 is thus Ydisconnected from drive shaft 3S. in' this position, the containerrl may be tilted for a dispensing operation. l

The cover member V2 has a semi-circular hoss 44 (Figs. 5, 7,.V and 10)V which extends halfway around the *sleeve 34.V This `boss 44 thus provides a limit to theV VInove-V rnent of the container 1 in a clockwise direction'toward Y the driving position otvFigsV and 5. Y Y.

Allof the containers 1 areprovided withV similar agitator driving means.

In order to move the sleeve 34 upward-ly, a shift mech- Y Yanisrn is provided that simultaneously operates all ot the coupling sleeves 34.

o f the coupling sleeves. All of the forks 4S are attached toa pivotedftransverse bar47. VThis transverse bar 47V is provided'with end pivot pins 48 (Fig. l) pivotallyy mounted in the end Vbrackets 17.` Y

VFor moving the bar 47 about its pivot, so as to raise the coupling sleeves'34, there is provided a manually i operable `handle Vstructure 49 having aY downvt'fardlyV eX- .tending pistol g'riplike coniiguration. This handle 49 is mounted upon the bar as by the aid of the bolts'l).Y

The vhandle 49 may be maintained, if desired, inthe elevated position of'Fig. 4, corresponding to the unconpling of the driving shaft 3s from thedriven VShan 2s.

lFor thisV purpose, `a latch 51 is pivotally mounted on theY side of the handle A4,9. VIt is arranged to engage either Ythe lower notch 52 orthe upper notch 573 of a latch member.

54. The latch 51 is so proportioned that its center of gravity is located as to bias Vthelatch 51 toward latching relationship. vThis latch member 54 is mounted on one Y ofthe intermediate brackets 17, Vas by the aid of the bolt 4 i an vappropriate hearing bushing 58 appropriately supported by the shelf 19. The upper end of each shaft 3S carries a sprocket wheel 59. These sprocket wheels are driven by a driving sprocket wheel 60 by the aid of a chain 61, which is also engaged around an idler sprocket wheel 90. The chain 61 is passed aroundthe wheels 59, til), and 90 in such fashion that the chain engages each of the driven sprocket wheels 59l over a substantial al'.- Y The drivi 35 til-rougi.

sprocket Wheel Y6i) is operated by the motor the pulleys 62 and 64 and a Vfbelt 63. The

pulley 64 is mounted on the'shaft of wheel 60. Motor 35 is mounted upon s helf 19. Y

At the front of the casing 2t] there Vis a downwardly directed ange 65 that serves to house one or more electric lamp sockets 66 controlled by artumbler switch 67. As shown most clearly in Figs. l0, 1l, and 12,`the cover member 2 is provided with a valve structure 6 for with a slidingV valve closure 71., This valve closure 71 resien'tlv mounted in the lever 72. VYThe lever 7 2 is pivetally meunteduperr Va sleeve 73, supported upon 'the 12.955,53 as hv the aid et the screw 75. This sleeve 73 has a shoulder 76 coniining lever 72 to an angular move-V Y When the'lever72 vis ansulerlv moved, as by its handle 9i; the .Closure 7 1 covers and, uncovers the pert 69 hvV Sliding en 'die ,Seat 7), Ehe ,lever 72 is provided with a j projection 77 that operates as a stop between the shouldere 79 and 30 'of the bees 68- Y The Veever 2 is provided with another hollow hess 81.1

in this boss there is a through aperture Vto form a vent Se. This veut is closed oy the rotary closure member $2 when the valve structure 6 is in the closed position. When lever 72 is moved to open position, an Vaperture 85 the member 32 aligns with vent 86 to open it. This is Y eiected by theaid of a link 83 that connects the lever 5 5.V 'I he latch member 51 may be released by the aid of the trigger memberV S7 adapted to be engaged by the Yically engages the upper notch 53 to maintain the handle 49,'and the couplingV sleeves 34 in elevated positions. When thehandle 49 is raised in its upper position, the

any onegofthe containers 1. VAfter the containers' are returned to their `upright positions, Vthe coupling V`sleeves Z operator can release his grip on the Vhandle 49 Aand tilt VY34 may be returned to their Ylower operative positions by operating the trigger 5 7 to release thelatch 5L Whenf Y Y the 4handle 49 and the coupling sleeves 34 move tothe lowered positions, the'latchf 5 1 is automatically etected.

f 'Each ofthe drivines'heffs .38 extends upwardly threush 72 with Vthe .closure member 82,. This link has upturned Y* Y ends engaging in apertures in lever 72 and member. 82.

The closure member S2 for the vent 86 is rotatablyV lever supported on Vthe Y cover and Ycarrying said closure'Y Y member; 'said cover having a vent opening; a movable closure on the exterior portion of the'cover cooperating with the vent opening; and a link connecting theelever.

and the vent closure for Vopening the Vvent `when the port is opened.

'2. In dispensing ,apparatns: a container cover having y an exterior surface provided with a dischargeV opening; Y a manually manipulable lever pivotallyl mounted on the cover for movement Vsubstantially parallel to saidwsurf e face; Va closure memberl carried by the lever Vfor cooperation at said surface with said discharge opening; said'` cover having a vent opening; the vent opening and theAV discharge opening being located on opposite sides ofthe and a lnk'having eue end eenneetedto the lever and its other end connectedY to the plate for rotating theV plate in e accordance Vwiththe movement ofthe lever,rr said link'. i V`being so located that the'plate is moved 1 0, fopen the .ventY when the'closurernember is moved to open thellisehargeV 'opening i W fl 3. In dispensing apparatus: a container cover having an exterior surface provided with a discharge opening; a manually manipulable lever pivotally mounted on the cover for movement substantially parallel to said surface; a closure member carried by the lever for cooperation at said surface with said discharge opening; said cover having a vent opening; the vent opening and the discharge opening being located on opposite sides of the center of the cover; a plate extending substantially parallel to and in contact with the surface and supported for rotation by the cover and having a port registrable with the vent when the plate is moved to one angular position, said plate at other angular positions closing said vent opening; a link having one end connected eccentrically to the lever and its other end connected eccentrically to the plate for rotating the plate in accordance with the movement of the lever, said link being so located that the plate closes the vent when the closure member closes the discharge opening; and abutment means determining a limiting opening position of the lever in which the plate port registers with the vent opening.

4. In dispensing apparatus: a container cover having a surface provided with a discharge opening; a manually manipulable lever pivotally mounted on the cover for movement substantially parallel to said surface; a closure member carried by the lever for cooperation with said discharge opening, and guided by the lever for movement relative to the lever in a direction toward and away from said surface; spring means urging said closure member toward said surface for sealing relationship with respect to said discharge opening; said cover having a vent opening spaced from said discharge opening; a plate supported for rotation by the cover for closing and opening the vent; and a link having one end connected to the lever and its other end connected to the plate for rotating the plate in accordance with the movement of the lever, said link being so located that the plate is moved to open the vent when the closure member is moved to open the discharge opening.

-5. In dispensing apparatus: a container cover having a surface provided with a discharge opening; a manually manipulable lever pivotally mounted on the cover for movement substantially parallel to said surface; a closure member carried by the lever for cooperation with said discharge opening, and guided by the lever for movement relative to the lever in a direction toward and away from said surface; spring means urging said closure mem ber toward said surface for sealing relationship with respect to said discharge opening; said cover having a vent opening spaced from said discharge opening; a plate supported for rotation by the cover and having a port registrable with the vent when the plate is moved to one angular position, said plate at other angular positions closing said vent opening; a link having one end connected eccentrically to the lever and its other end connested eccentrically to the plate for rotating the plate in accordance with the movement of the lever, said link being so located that the plate closes the vent When the closure member closes the discharge opening; and abutment means determining a limiting opening position of the lever in which the plate port registers With the vent opening.

6. For use with a container tiltably mounted for dispensing the contents thereof: a container cover having an exterior surface portion; said cover having a valve seat on the exterior portion and a port that opens in said seat; a closure member slidable on said seat and movable between open and closed positions; a manually operable lever supported on the cover for moving the closure member; said cover having a vent opening; the vent opening and the port being located on opposite sides of the center of the cover; a movable closure on the exterior portion of the cover cooperating with the vent opening; and a link connecting the lever and the vent closure for opening the vent when the port is opened.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,650,179 Bannister Nov. 22, 1927 

